Ravanshenasi & Din

The present article deals with different physical, cultural-social and psychological effects of poverty on mental health. Cultural poverty, isoltion, aggression, moral and religious weakness, reduction in self-esteem, stress and mental disorders are among these destructive effects. The approach of Islamic texts to the issues related to poverty and its different significances in religious texts are among other topics of this article. The reasons for disfavor of poverty in such texts are as follows: the conflict between poverty and social justice, the Impeccable Imams’ seeking refuge to God from poverty, the importance of religion for Islamic cohesion in society, the religion’s plan for transcendental goals and unwelcomed consequences of poverty from religious viewpoint. Finally, those passages implying Islam as not opposing poverty – but confirming it – have been explained.